Besides being an innovative drummer with his trademark rolls and crashing cymbals, Art Blakey became an institution in the jazz world, an incubator of young talent with over seventy musicians passed through his band, learning the ropes as he encouraged many of them to go on to become leaders in their own right.

Some of them who attained fame were Wayne Shorter,Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard,Keith Jarrett, Wynton Marsalis....

His band was appropriately titled the Jazz Messengers as they spread his hardbop style and the spirit of his ensemble.

Rammesh Venugopal who last made the excellent presentation on Jazz-Rock will be coming over from Bombay once again to specially handle this session